Roy Jones Jr Wants Title Shot Against David Haye

Back to back losses has not deterred Roy Jones Jr from his title aspirations and returning to pound for pound glory.

The now 41-year-old former champion believes he can win another title by going up to heavyweight and challenging David Haye for the WBA title, a belt he previously won seven years ago. Jones notes that due to their similar size, the matchup would be much more feasible title bout than attempting to face the Klitschkos.

“David Haye has admired me all his career; he copied my style as a matter of fact – or tried to anyway!” Jones told the Sky Sport’s Ringside. “But he’s just the heavyweight champion right now who’s not as big as the other guys so it would be the perfect match up for me. It’s a good opportunity to walk down the line and become heavyweight champion again – or call it a day and walk out.”

Roy Jones has not made any definitive plans since losing a decision to Bernard Hopkins in April. Before that fight, he was knocked out in one round last December against Danny Green. Since achieving a historic victory in beating John Ruiz in 2003 for a heavyweight title, Roy Jones has gone 6-6. 2010 marks his 21st year as a professional fighter.

If Jones does secure a Haye fight, he states it would be his last match. If not, Jones is still sure he will have at least one more fight before retiring.

“I’m just saying hey, if the people want to see it, it would be my last hurrah,” Jones explained. “But I will try one more time before I go. Over here they want to see it and if they want to see it and I’ve got anything to do with it, I’m going to give it to them.”

David Haye faces Audley Harrison on November 13.

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Gene Tunney, Lennox Lewis, Rocky Marciano, and Joe Calzaghe are among the very few fighters to get out of the game before their skills completely eroded. For most, the aging lions do not give up their crowns until someone violently separates it from their skulls (Ali-Holmes, Marciano-Louis). Even though Roy Jones’ current situation is a story we’ve seen many times before, it doesn’t make it any less sad to watch.

How different would we view Jones if he had retired about the Ruiz win, or even after the close decision win over Antonio later in that year? The ironic thing as that as his talent diminished, Roy Jones’ competition increased. Since 2003, he’s faced John Ruiz, Antonio Tarver (3X), Glen Johnson, Joe Calzaghe, and Bernard Hopkins.

The last thing anyone wants to see is Jones get hurt. If he has to get in the ring one last time, I sincerely hope it’s against a lower-tier fighter. Haye needs to fight one of the Klitschkos after this Audley Harrison payday. Last thing anyone wants to see is Jones get blasted out of the ring again.